Explosive cartridge



May 16, 1944'. i R. TEMPLE 2,348,866

EXPLOSIVE CARTRIDGE Original Filed Aug. 13, 1941 -2 Sheets-Sheet l INV ENT OR. ROBERT TEMPLE.

1.; A Trop/Wsw'.

May 16, 1944.

R. TEMPLE EXPLOSIVE CARTRIDGE original Filed mig. 1:5, `1941 2 sheets-sheet :e`

Patented May 16, 1944 UNITED vSTATES PATENT' orales nxrLoslvE camnmcn A A eingefasst-sa. ...was

Del., a corporation of Delaware original application August'- 13, 1941. serial No.

4 claims.

This invention relates to explosive cartridges, and more particularly to those adapted for use in explosively actuated tools by whichcables are cut at locations remote from the operator. This Divided andthis ber 12, 1942, Serial No. 465,326

application Novemwhich can be used for cutting cablesunder water at distances encountered in the program considered.

It hasbeen'desired toprovide some form of an explosively actuated tool oi. the type described in United States Patents Nos. 1,365,869 and 1,365,870, which can be practically and successfully operated atv considerable distances from the operator such. as are encountered in the revetment program carried on in protecting banks and beds or under water surfaces of rivers or streams or other moving waters from erosion.

It is the practice in this work to lower mattresses of reinforced asphalt material in sections of large horizontal dimensions to cover an appreciable surface area and operate as a protective coating for the bed surface. These large surface sections of covering are necessarily formed fragmentarily because of their immense size, and ordinarily an operation is started from the bank and continued outwardly into the water until the requisite ldistance has been reached from the bank. The covering material has .little strength and reinforcing cables are embedded in the material and extend throughout the length of a mattress or section. Because of the fragmentary method ofass'embly of an entire mattress, a portion being completed on a barge must be lowered carefully in place and this is- `done by using the reinforcing cables as launching cables. 'After the last portion of a mattress section is made and lowered in place, the cables reaching to the barge are cut at the barge and the loose ends allowed to 11nd their own places of rest on the surface bed. This practice, as is obvious, is very wasteful 4of reinforcing cable material because the length extending from the last portion of asphalt lowered to the barge serves no purpose other than posi- In the operation'of an explosively actuated tool, a charge is set of! against a projectile tool which is given sufllcient momentum to sever the contacted portion when the cable is adequately supported against some formof a die member.

Ordinarily, the problem of positioning and sup` porting the apparatus is of little consequence because ofthe access to the assembly at the place of operation. In the instant invention, the. positioning and supporting of the apparatus presented a serious problem .especially because of the elements to be confronted and the remote method of operation which must be employed in order to render the apparatus of any commer-- 4 to provide an explosive cartridge that is red by tioning. Should the waters above move swiftly,

the loose end sections of the cable in settling to the bed surface may dislodge the located mattress. Any the cables at the mattress end must be operated at the place of cutting and for practical reasons d5 mechanical apparatus for cutting electricity, that is unaffected by deep water conditions, and that is combined with the projectile to permit large 'build-up oi pressure in a very short space.

Other objects of this invention will become apparent from a description of the preferred embodiment which illustrates the principle involved in my invention and vis illustrated in the drawings in which:

Fig. l is a side elevational View of the embodiment with the outer frame shown in section for the purpose of showing clearly the operating elements:

V Fig. 2 is a sectional view of the embodiment taken along the line 2 2 of Fig. i;

Fig. 3 is a front elevational view of the embodiment;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view of a preferred cartridge and projectile assembly;

Fig. 5 is a perspective view'of the die used in the. embodiment; and

Fig. 6 is a detail view of the ring pin and an electrical conductor attachment.

I'he embodiment illustrated is a devicev for severing cables and has been and is nowbeing successfully used in cutting cables underwater at depths greatly in excess oi 100 feet and due to the simplicity of the apparatus little skill is member required to satisfactorily operate it for severing a cable at a considerable depth from a position above the water. Furthermore, performance of the cutting loperation, including lowering and raising the apparatus, can be done in less than one minute. contains many cables, a short time interval for cutting becomes a factor of much importance in determining the expense of the project. The size of cable used in the project is less than one inch in diameter although this particular size does not determine the' range of usefulness of the invention.

Referring to the drawings, a c-frame I is made of a suitable material to which a barrel 3 is pivotally supported onto one leg portion of the frame. This barrel 3 contains .a passage 4 extendiner through the length and arranged to engage the surface of a cartridge and projectile assembly 5 to be inserted in the passage. A quick acting breech mechanism 6 is attached to the barrel by means of pins 1 threaded to the barrel. The breech is bifurcated in shape and each of its legs 6a is rounded at its endas illustrated in Fig. l in order to facilitate the opening and closing of the breech with reference to the passage 4 of the barrel. The '-breech, when closed, remains securely in position and is not disturbed by any outer forces such as may be applied in underwater operation. Fig. 1 shows the movement of the breech in changing from an open position i1- lustrated in dotted lines to the closed firing position illustrated in full.

A feature of this invention is that the explosively actuated tool is energized by means of connecting the tool to a source of electrical power, andthe construction and arrangement of Aparts is such that it insures continuous electrical contact under the circumstances considered and the device remains subject to control by means of a circuit intel-runter. not illustrated, at the location of the operator. TheA breech includes a removable hollow central portion 9 threaded to the bifurcated portion and arranged to accommodate and support a ring contactor pin I0 supported within the central portion and insulated by means of a rubber sleeve I2 and mica washers I3. This pin, illustrated in detail in Fig. 6, engages the primary contactor of the carfridge at its inner end. The pin at its other end has a groove Illa about its periphery for attach--A ment of an electrical conductor I5. A detail of this attachment is not illustrated because of the fact that it is one commercially available in the market and does not constitute a part of this invention except for showing a quick detachable connection of a conductor to the pin as a part of an operative embodiment. V

In alignment with the passage 4 of the barrel is a die member II'which is supported by the C- frame and which has al vertical passage I8 through which a cable A passes and is supported during the cutting operation. It also includes ,a horizontal passage I8a in alignment with the Since each section of a mattress 1 poses, it is advisable to include a lateral opening 28 extending from one side of the frame to the other and connected to the horizontal passage 4 of the barrel in order to release water from the passage upon firing of4 the projectile. In other words, unless this opening be provided.

water may accumulate in the passage and prevent or retard engagement of the projectile with the cable. Another feature of this invention is that the cartridge and projectile assembly, Fig. 4,- is electrically energizable and is unaffected by deep water conditions. A powder. shell or case 30 of the cartridge contains an inner powder chamber 3I with a closed end having an extending shoulder or flange 33. The other end portion 32 is shaped to engage a peripheral groove 35 of the projectile 2|. 'Ihe groove is positioned a distance from the end of the projectile and the end portion 34 between the groove and the end of the projectile provides a sealing surfac'ewhich, in conjunction with the connection at the groove,-

provides an adequate means of engagement for the shell or casein order to seal the powder chamber against the water pressure encountered. The end of the powder shell is shaped to conform to the groove of the projectile and isactually rolled and pressed into engagement with the projectile. Also, the end portion 34 serves as an added means of engagement of the shell and projectile which are sealed together by means of-a coating of a mixture of litharge and glycerin between the surfaces. The central part of the cartridge end portion of the projectile is hollow to receive the end of a coiled wire resistance unit 38. 'I'hls resistance is a coiled wire fastened onto a contacter pin 39 and arranged relative to the receiving portion of the -projectile so that some compression exists in the coil to insure continuous engagement with the projectile. The pin 39 is insulated from the cartridge case by means of an insulating washer 40 held between the head of the pin and the shell and a. passage of current applied to the pin is transferred to the resistancecoil and to the ly to insure a continuous electrical contact.,

However, the engagement should not be too much to bind the projectile to the extent that it is re'- vstrictecl greatly in movement. Also. this engagement serves a purpose of preventing the escape of expanding explosive gases and improves the eiliciency of operation of the apparatus by utilizingA substantially completely the force available by the expanding gases. Energizing the coil provides the necessary heat or energy to ignite the gun cotton placed adjacent to the projectile and illustrated for setting oil the explosive powder in the rear part of the powder shell. 'I'he force of ex-V plosion tears the projectile away from the powder case and forces the forward end of the projectile against the cable A. This force is suillcent to sever the cable by the cooperative action of the operative edge of the die and the moving projectile.

' The attachment of the projectile to the powder case is a positive means for retarding the projectile in combination with the support provided by the extending flange 33. This restriction to movement of theA projectile builds up a escasas pressure in 'the expansion of the explosion gases "before the attachment of the projectile to the tion, it is necessary that some form of a retarding means for the projectile' be supplied to get an adequate expansion of gases and consequent application of force suillcient to perform the working operation. In the absence of a retarding means, a longer barrel is required, which, obviously, is not desirable for practical purposes. Since this apparatus is to be positioned by passing the apparatus along'the surface of the cable to be severed, it is advisable and preferred to incorporate a cable guide 'I5 which in the embodiment has a lower base and shaped to conform to the outer surface of the C-frame and is attached by means of screws 65a threaded to the material of the frame. This guide extends upwardly and the upper horizontal extent t6 is shaped inwardly to partially encircle a cable. After the cable is in position within the upper extent, a lock pin 4l retains it in a loose manner to permit the'apparatus to easily slide along the cable surface. With this arrangement, the cable is 'maintained in sliding engagement at this location and as it passes between the die member and the barrel.

Also attached to the upper extent of the guide isan electrical connector 50. The circuit energizing the cartridge is grounded to the frame as previously described through the projectile al.- though it may be through .any part of the cartridge and projectile assembly, and the return circuit is made by means of the conductor l@ attached to the frame at this point. This conductor is attached by means of the connector 5u which is threaded to the guide and is of a lconstruction available to the trade and does not constitute a part of this invention except as it -forms a part ofthe combination of the embodiment. Since the connector type illustrated has proven so well adapted to the purpose, it will be described in order to give a complete description of the operative apparatus. The type of connector is of a readily demountable type to allow vready engagement and disengagement, as well as to allow the conductor I6, which is a stranded cable, to move within the connectorexceptl as restrained slightly bythe spring 50a. The sleeve 50h carries the tension block 50c by means ofva.

--pin 50d which moves along a longitudinal slot 50e formed in the wall of the body of the connector 50.' Bymovement of the sleeve 50h away fromgthe abutment of the body of the connector,

the. opening-on the side'of thev body, not shown,

is freed to releasethe ball end of the conductor from the connector. The end of the conductor l i6 is'of a ball-like surface that engages asimilar tridge having been or now installed in the pas#y sage of the barrel has a suitable flanged end CQ engage a shoulderof the barrel and is held in place when the breech is brought into operating position by the inner'end surface of the breech engaging the outer surface of the flange of the cartridge. Also, the inner hollow portion lof the breech has a sloped edge whichengages a complementary surface of the barrel and is adjustable by means of the threaded connection of the bifurcatedl body of the breech. Drawing the portion 9 up tightly against the barrel holds it in place for operation, while withdrawal of the inner portion'of the breech from the barrel releases the bifurcated portion of the breech and allowsit to be swung to an open position. The construction of the cartridge makes it unaffected by any forces that might be present such as water pressure or any effects of lowering the apparatus to its desired location. Movement of the breech to its operating position forms an electrical contact with the cartridge and the contactor pin I0 and a complete circuit is formed through the apparatus -including the resistance coil 38 subject to control by connecting the conductors' I6 and i6 to a source of powernot illustrated. The apparatus is then lowered along the cable and is supported by means of the conductors. l y

Since considerable stress may be applied to the conductors, it is necessary to use some form of conductor constructionv assembly that is adequate toy resist the potential stresses. It'has been found that a steel stranded cable serving a as a ground or return current 4conductor I6 supplies the necessary strength to support the aprel is withdrawn from its operating-position .held in operating position by the screw. A carby the thumb screw 55 and is' then closed and paratus while lowering. In conjunction with this steel core, a live current conductor i5 supported thereon which is insulated appropriately from the steel core encircles the core to provide an outer sheath about the core. The live conductor is then protected by means of an outer insulation. It is advisable toarrange the live wire conductor i5 so that it absorbs little stress in supporting the apparatus.' This can be provided by allowing for a little slacking in that portion of the conductor between the engagement to the assembly with the return conductor l5 and its connection to the apparatus. The actual connection of the conductor i5 to the composite assembly of both conductors may be merely by attaching a sleeve encircling connector which is `properly attached to the sheath of the assembly.

From lthis description, it is believed to be obvious that the apparatus makes possible the cutting of cables at considerabledistances from the location of the operator and that it is performed when the apparatus is in position by merely closing a circuit which energizes the ignition coil that sets oi a charge which propels a projectile against the die member to sever the localized portion of the cable. The apparatus is designed particularly to operate under water and it has been advantageously applied for this purpose.

l According to the provisions of the patent statutes, I have explained the principle and mode of operation of my invention and have illustrated and described its best embodiment at this time. However, I desire to have it understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be' practiced otherwise than as specifically illustrated and described.

l. A water-tight cartridge and projectile as-l sembly comprising a cartridge case having a 'closed and flanged end and having an inner chamber to receive a charge of explosive material, explosive powder within the chamber of the case, a contactor pin extending through said end of the case and into the interior of the case for a substantial distance and insulated therefrom, a projectile having a peripheral groove formed in its surface and spaced from its rear end, the intervening portion between the groove and said rear end being reduced in cross sectional area, the front end portion of the case engaging the groove and reduced portion of the projectile to form a means of attachment of the cartridge to the projectile and to provide a retarding means eiective to resist. movement of the projectile, a water sealing medium between Y the engaging surfaces, the central portionoi the rear end of the projectile being recessed, and a coiled ignition resistance wire within the case connected to the contactor pin and positioned Within the recess of the projectile and against the surface of the projectile to place the coil under compression and insure continuous electrical contact.

2. A cartridge comprising a case having an open front end, a projectile having its rear end portion inserted ir the open end of the case and tightly engaged thereby, an electric resistance coil in the case having its rear end insulated -from the rear end of the case, said coil being compressed against the rear end of the projectile, and

an explosive charge in the case in contact with said coil and adapted to be exploded by it.

3. A cartridge comprising a, Acase having an open end and a closed end, a projectile having an end portion inserted in the open end of the case and tightly engaged thereby, a contact pin projecting into the case through its closed end and insulated therefrom, an electric resistance coil in the case surrounding said pin and fastened thereto and compressed against the adjacent end of the projectile, and an explosive charge in the case in contact with said coil and adapted to be exploded by it.

4. A cartridge comprising a case having an lend of the coil and extending throughthe end of the case adjacent said opposite end of the coil, said coil being fastened to the pin and compressed against the projectile, said pin 'holding the c'oil substantially straight,- in'sulating means electrically insulating the pin from the case, and an explosive charge in the case in contact with said coil and adapted to be exploded by it.

ROBERT TEMPLE. 

